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Western governors to explore potential energy
By Barry Massey
Associated Press Writer
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)--Governors from Western states gathered with leaders from Mexico and Canada for a summit on how to meet future energy needs in a region rich with natural resources, from oil and natural gas to opportunities for wind, solar and geothermal power.
Touted as a "North American Energy Summit" by the Western Governors' Association, the three-day meeting opened April 14 in Albuquerque will bring together governmental and tribal leaders with energy company executives, environmentalists, researchers and other experts to consider an ambitious agenda of energy issues.
Among the topics explored were: The future of oil production, gasoline and natural gas prices, reliability of the Western electricity grid, the role of nuclear power, renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency and cross-border collaboration on energy policies.
A goal of the meeting was to "develop clean energy plans for the West to help meet our national energy needs and strengthen our economies," according to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, WGA chairman and a former energy secretary during the Clinton administration.
The summit took place against the backdrop of a presidential campaign and consumer complaints about skyrocketing gasoline prices at retail pumps.
Other energy problems simmer. Not quite a year ago, the nation experienced its worst electricity blackout when all or parts of eight states and sections of Canada went dark. A U.S.-Canadian task force this month called for quick congressional approval of mandatory reliability rules governing the electric transmission industry.
And in California, scene of an electricity market meltdown three years ago, there are warning of energy shortages that could hit as soon as 2006 because the state lacks enough power plants to satisfy future power demands.
"I expect the summit will produce a plan for the Western Governors' Association to initiate a two-year clean energy project for the West, with targets for clean, renewable energy production and energy efficiency," Richardson said.
"Such a plan will greatly diversify our energy sources, assist in reducing consumer gasoline and home heating oil prices, prevent unpredictability for state governments and institutions because of spiking energy prices like what has happened this year."
The West, the fastest-growing region during the past decade, accounts for slightly more than a fifth of the nation's population, according to the Census Bureau. Historically, Western states have been leading energy producers through extractive industries--oil and gas production and coal mining.
The summit also will look at improving energy efficiency, which is the "cheapest, quickest and cleanest" way to deal with future energy needs, according to Sheryl Carter, director of the Western energy program for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Date: 4/29/04
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